[geordiemouse]

I have just come back from an altogether pretty confusing doctors appointment.

I am currently 30 weeks and 1 day pregnant (due March 22nd) and had an ultrasound yesterday as my GP felt bub was measuring small. Everything seemed okay at the scan but the sonographer did say bub was measuring at 28 weeks. I did the calculations with my partner and it seems to be a physical impossibility for me to be 28 weeks as it would mean I conceived the day after I got a positive pregnancy result.

I then went to my GP today to discuss the results and she told me baby was measuring in the 5th percentile. My GP's first language isn't English so even after asking her to explain exactly what that meant I left feeling very upset and confused. She said they would monitor me and if bub hadn't gained enough weight in 2 weeks that they would look at delivering her as she'd have a better chance outside.

I am so confused because I left the ultrasound clinic feeling pretty satisfied that although she was a little on the small side all was still well. Is it common practice for sonographers to with hold information and leave it to a GP to discuss? According to the ultrasound results bub currently weighs 2lbs 12oz.

I think I would feel a lot happier if I understood exactly what this all means for my baby?

[DoulaLC]

Hi geordiemouse,

Being off a couple of weeks with fundal height measurement is not all that unusual. Fundal height measurement itself can be off and is not a very reliable indicator of how baby is developing and growing, unless of course there was a substantial difference. If someone is off by several centimeters, a scan is usually done to rule out or confirm any concern.

Being in the 5th percentile simply means 95% of babies at 30 weeks would be larger. This sounds rather ominous, but isn't necessarily the case. This is why your gp will do another check in a couple of weeks. Your baby may be set for a growth spurt and will catch up a bit by then. Some babies are just naturally smaller than others, even when all is well.

If there continues to be concern about baby's growth pattern, an induction may be discussed. Most often they will wait longer than the 32 weeks, unless baby is showing to be falling behind. It will be a situation of waiting to see. As long as your baby is showing that she is gaining weight and has continued growth with measurements, even if she remains on the lower end of the growth chart, they may just have you get checked a bit more often for awhile. If they feel she is falling too far behind, they will discuss what would be best for baby. It becomes a week by week situation of seeing how baby is doing. Trying to extend the time in utero as long as possible. When to intervene can often be determined by your gp's comfort level. Some will be more at ease with differences than others will be.

The sonographer would not be the one to discuss any sort of diagnosis, or discuss possible concerns. That would be up to your gp. Giving you some information of the measurement is within their scope of practice, however.

See what happens when you return in a couple of weeks. Do be sure to let us know how the scan goes.